neigh

American  

[ney] / neɪ /

verb (used without object)

1. to utter the cry of a horse; whinny.

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noun

1. the cry of a horse; whinny.

neigh British  

/ neɪ /

noun

1. the high-pitched cry of a horse; whinny

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verb

1. (intr) to make a neigh or a similar noise

2. (tr) to utter with a sound like a neigh

Etymology

Origin of neigh

before 1000; Middle English ney ( gh ) en, Old English hnǣgan, cognate with Middle Dutch neyen, Old Saxon hnēgian, Middle High German nēgen, Old High German hneigen, Old Norse hneggja; akin to Old Saxon hnechian; Middle Dutch nighen, Middle Low German nigen, Middle High German nyhen; and, with intrusion in the initial, Old Norse gneggja, Norwegian kneggja. See nag ²

Example Sentences

Even on the backside, it seemed like any other race day: Workers tended to horses who let out the occasional neigh.

From Seattle Times • May 6, 2023

In another, Catherine answers he insult of the horse business by gamely grinning as she replies, "I wanted to. But the horse said no, and neigh means nay!"

From Salon • May 15, 2020

They knew their jobs and did them with nary a peep, bark or neigh.

From Washington Post • Nov. 15, 2019

The horse gave a short snort and neigh, then paced around the equestrian center, one of eight shelters for animals affected by the Sand fire. 

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 25, 2016

Then Hwin, though shaking all over, gave a strange little neigh, and trotted across to the Lion.

From "The Horse and His Boy" by C.S. Lewis